Two away wins in the space of 48 hours have moved Barnoldswick Town to the top of the Vodkat League Division One for the first time this season.
A 87th minute winner from skipper Russell Clarke clinched a 1-0 win down at Eccleshall on Saturday, and two goals just before half time from Stewart Airdrie and Neil Chapman set them on the way to a 2-1 win at Chadderton last night. But Town's joint manager Ben Hall says they are taking nothing for granted yet, especially as Stone Dominoes could leapfrog over them once more with a win at Eccleshall on Wednesday evening.
"We'd have been happy to have taken four points from the two games, so to get six is brilliant. It was a bit of a smash and grab on Saturday (at Eccleshall), but at Chadderton we got the goals just at the right time and we're delighted.
"The top of the table is the best place to be, but we've got a lot of difficult games left yet and we'll just carry on and take each game as it comes, starting with Ashton Town this Saturday. Every single game we play in this league is extremely difficult and we will treat Ashton in the same way as we treat Stone or anyone else, and give them every respect".
Ben and fellow joint managers Stewart Airdrie and Kevin Richardson have overseen a run of form that has seen the side lose just once in 12 games, but Ben explained that in recent weeks they have to overcome some disruption.
"We had to adjust a bit in the past couple of games, because like everyone else injuries and suspensions have hit us a bit. On top of that we're a team that likes to play football, but sometimes when you go away from home at this time of the season, maybe the pitch isn't the best, and that's when you have to dig in to get results".
Looking ahead, Ben says he and his fellow managers are confident that the commitment and attitude of the squad will stand them in good stead for the remainder of the season.
"We've heard people say we've got money to spend and that's why we're near the top, but that's rubbish. Our skipper Russell Clarke has played at Clitheroe in the Unibond and is a fantastic captain, and we've got an experienced goalkeeper in Billy Carrington, but the rest of the side is largely local lads. In fact seven of our lads were playing Sunday football or at the bottom end of the West Lancashire League last year, never mind in the North West Counties League.
"They are a fantastic set of lads, and all of them are a pleasure to manage. It's gone well so far, but we are nowhere near the end of the season yet, so we need to just push on from here".
